Tent structure or sun protection structure

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a tent or sun protection structure ( 1 ), in which a canvas, a cloth, a fabric, a sheet or the like ( 2 ) is tensioned using at least one flexible supporting pole. In order to achieve a stable structure, the supporting pole is bent into an open or closed loop, the free ends of which ( 3′, 3 ″)are braced with the vertex area ( 5 ) of the loop—with the supporting pole including tensioned canvas being bent into a convex structure, and wherein the structure is placed on the ground with the free ends ( 3′, 3 ″) of the supporting pole ( 3 ) and the vertex area ( 5 ) of the loop and anchored there, if necessary.

The invention relates to a tent structure or sun protection structure,in which a canvas, a cloth, a fabric, a sheet or the like is tensionedusing at least one flexible supporting pole.

Several kinds of transportable tents or sun protection tents for beach,garden, meadow and exterior spaces in general with various advantagesand disadvantages are known. In the following, only some of the mostfrequent variants are stated in an exemplary manner.

Parasols must be fixed in the ground or held using a heavy foot, inorder to withstand the wind, and with their mostly round shape with acentral pole, do not offer optimum shade for the user(s). The net weightis considerable and the pack size is large.

Self-unfolding tents and beach tents consist of an interconnectedstructure (mostly two rings and a covering incl. a base) andindependently unfold due to the deformation forces of the arch structureand are stable in themselves. On the other hand, however, they usuallyhave a small volume, since the ring-shaped flat bearing configurationhas a large diameter, which increases with the size of the tent—wherebytransport is being complicated. The interior of the beach tent mostly istoo small for adults in order to provide sufficient shade, the airtherein heats up easily and the view is open in one direction only.

Dome tents, beach dome tents and similar tents are completely assembledfrom their individual elements (normally: poles, covering incl. base,ropes and ground anchors) and disassembled each time in a time-consumingfashion. Stability of the tent structure is mostly only achieved withseveral bracings using ground anchors in the ground, which restrictsmobility. On the other hand, they have a small pack size and a highervariety in shape. The interior of beach dome tents—tents open on oneside—mostly has a trapezoidal shape with a small depth and thus is notwell usable. With overhangs, and sometimes complex mounting frames, itis attempted to enlarge the shaded area.

Other sun protection devices, as known from patent application DE 102006 024 488 A1, require 2 main poles and 3 or more transverse poles,several straps—in part with Velcro fasteners to tension the canvas.These sun protection devices offer no protection against wind.

The invention is based on the object to create a tent structure or sunprotection structure of the kind initially stated, which can be designedrespectively large, so that it offers protection against sun, rain andwind for several persons and still is light and handy to transport.Furthermore, quick pitching without any problems is to be possible, too.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the supporting polebeing shaped into an open or closed loop, the free ends of which arebraced with the vertex area of the loop—with the supporting poleincluding tensioned canvas being bent into a convex structure, whereinthe structure rests on the ground with the free ends of the supportingpole and the vertex area of the loop and is anchored there, ifnecessary. Thus, a structure is created, which rests on the ground in astable fashion, wherein a respective shape can be defined due to thelayout of the canvas or the cloth, the fabric or the sheet, resp.Bracing the ends of the supporting pole with the vertex area andtherewith creating the convex curving of the structure, tension resultsat the supporting pole, also transverse to the canvas level, whereby astructure is created, which is stable in itself, since the three mainelements (pole/canvas/bracing) mutually hold one another in position.

Advantageously, the free ends of the supporting pole can be intersectedand continue beyond the point of intersection, wherein the supportingpole sections in the intersection area are preferably fixed against oneanother using a connecting element. Therewith, the structure of the loopis reinforced even further, since the legs of the loop are securedagainst collapsing. Furthermore, the supporting pole can be divided, andthe individual parts can be rigidly connectable, e.g., using plugconnections or lockable joints, wherein the canvas, in particular at theedge, has lugs, loops, hooks or tubular receiving elements, also called“pole sleeves”, for the pole, wherein the receiving elements areinterrupted in the area of the rigid connections. This enables foldingof the structure to a small dimension for transport, wherein thesupporting poles can remain connected with the canvas and must only beplugged together for pitching, which is easily possible since theconnections are arranged in an exposed fashion. In that, the individualpole parts and/or connecting elements can be straight, curved or angled,whereby the shape of the structure can be respectively designed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the subject matter of theinvention, preferably at about half the distance between the vertex areaof the loop and the free ends of the supporting pole, one or severalfurther flexible pole(s) can be provided, which span(s) above or belowthe loop or cross(es) it, which, if applicable, is/are connected withthe structure via lugs, loops, hooks or tubular receiving elementsprovided at the canvas and with its/their free ends likewise rest(s) onthe ground, wherein the free ends of this or these, resp., furtherpole(s) are braced with one another. Therewith, a further increase instability of the structure and a greater possibility for design for theshape of the canvas is achieved and the interior of the tent structureor sun protection structure, resp., is enlarged. In that, the tensioningelement(s) bracing the vertex area of the supporting pole with its ends,and, if applicable, the tensioning element(s) bracing the ends of thefurther pole(s) with one another, can be adjustable in length. Thisenables respective adjustment of the curvature or the size of thefootprint, resp., and pitching is facilitated. In order to achievebraced fixation of the free ends of the supporting pole with its vertexarea and, if applicable, also of the free ends of the further pole (orthe further poles), a particularly flexible bottom part, e.g., made offabric, sheet or mat or a groundsheet, can be provided, which hasreceiving means for the free ends of the poles or the vertex area of theloop, respectively. Therewith, a base structure is created, which, e.g.,upon pitching on sandy ground or the like, prevents that the personusing the tent gets in contact with the ground. It is also preventsthat, should the tent structure or sun protection structure be pitchedon moist ground, the person using the tent gets in contact with themoist underground. In a particularly advantageous manner, the bottompart is integrally designed with the canvas, which is above allreasonable when the canvas is an enveloping tent case, since therewith,a closed tent results, which protects against various weatherconditions.

In a further embodiment, within the tent structure or sun protectionstructure, which preferably is designed waterproof and/orwater-repellent and/or windproof, an inner tent can be attachable orattached maintaining an intermediate air layer. With the aircirculation, as common in tent construction, the inconveniences ofcondensation as well as overheating upon solar irradiation are limited.However, reversely, there may also be a covering case attachable orattached above the tent structure or sun protection structure, whichpreferably is designed waterproof and/or water-repellent and/orwindproof.

Finally, preferably in the vertex area of the loop, a pocket-like spacecan be attached at the canvas, which is in particular accessible fromthe inside, which can be additionally anchored to the ground. Therewith,on the one hand, a storage space is created within the structure, inwhich luggage can be accommodated and, on the other hand, withrespective anchoring to the ground, the pocket-like space enablesparticularly good wind resistance in respect of the tent structure orsun protection structure according to the invention.

In the following, still further advantages of the subject matter of theinvention are outlined.

The tent or sun protection tent according to the invention can almostentirely be manufactured cost-effectively from commercially availableindividual parts and is thus economically competitive.

The sun protection tent offers an unobstructed view towards severalsides and enables sufficient air circulation in order to prevent heatingup of the area to be shaded. Simultaneously, it offers protectionagainst wind and for that can be erected in a wind-stable manner.

Only few main components form the tent or sun protection tent. It is notnecessary to disassemble the interconnected main components intoindividual parts upon disassembly, which enables fast pitching andstriking.

The self-supporting tent structure substantially consists of 3 elements,which stabilize one another and balance one another:

-   -   at least one flexible, long, foldable pole, possibly designed        with bends, which in its condition of use is held in a        three-dimensionally bent shape, wherein the pole can be also        divided into two or more individual poles,    -   and a covering /roof area (fabric, textile, sheet, mat) or        something similar stretched thereon,    -   as well as a tensioning system (made of bottom fabric, bottom        sheet and/or ropes and/or straps and the like).

Such poles have been used in tent construction for a long time and canbe made of glass or carbon fiber, aluminum or other reversibly bendablematerials. Should the pole be bent that far that its ends intersect, thestructure can be stabilized with a connecting element in the point ofintersection.

Adding further poles to the main structure, the tent or sun protectiontent can be further stabilized and enlarged. In the points ofintersection, the poles can be loose, detachably connected or fixedlyconnected.

The tensioning system (ropes, straps, bottom fabric or the like with orwithout tensioning device) can be fixedly fastened to the poles or thecovering in the center area, and in the condition of use, it can befastened at the ends using plug connections or the like, whereby fastpitching and striking are accomplished.

When the receiving elements of the covering, for fastening at the pole,in respect of the individual segments of the pole, are designed suchthat the connecting points of the individual segments remain exposed,then the tent or sun protection tent can be folded as a whole andsubsequently rolled up, without sliding the pole out of the receivingelements, whereby pitching and striking are simplified and acceleratedvery much and the ease of use is highly increased. There are no looseindividual parts, which can go missing.

For additional wind stability, the tent or sun protection tent can bebraced using the packing bag or a (e.g.: fold-out) space attached to thecanvas, wherein the packing bag can simultaneously form a storage spaceon the outside of the structure, which is accessible from the insidethrough an opening in the fabric, which, e.g., can be opened and closedusing a zipper. Putting weight into the packing bag/the attached space,no tent peg is required.

For even more additional wind stability, the tent or sun protection tentcan be fastened to the ground using ground anchors and braced usingropes.

The invention cannot only be used as a sun protection tent, but is alsovery well usable as a tent. For that, the covering and the tensioningsystem are preferably connected or designed as one element,respectively. Thus results a closed tent interior with a floor area,which is tensioned and held in shape.

Within the structure made of pole(s) and covering, which can be designedwind- and/or waterproof, an inner tent (an inner chamber), as is commonin tent construction, can be assembled via spacers, in order to createan intermediate air layer between outer and inner tent, whichreduces/solves the condensation problem. Alternatively, a covering casecan be positioned and fastened over the structure of pole(s) and case,which can be designed wind- and/or waterproof.

The drawings represent one embodiment of the subject matter of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows the tent structure or sun protection structure according tothe invention in a graph.

FIG. 2 is an illustration analogous to FIG. 1, however with folded-outadditional storage space and with indicated bracing to the ground.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the course of the supporting pole in anembodiment with non-intersected supporting pole and additional pole.

In FIG. 4, the hatching shows the canvas in an embodiment according toFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a variant of the structure according to FIG. 3, which isclosed on all sides. FIGS. 6 to 12 show the sequence of pitching thestructure with an intersected supporting pole, and in detail, FIG. 6shows the unrolling of the structure folded for transport.

FIG. 7 illustrates the unfolding of the canvas with the supporting poleparts inserted.

FIG. 8 shows the canvas in the spread condition, wherein the supportingpole parts of the loop's legs are connected already.

FIG. 9 then shows the closing of the loop in the vertex area.

FIG. 10 shows, on a larger scale, the connection in the intersectionarea of the loop.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the loop in the still flat condition.

FIG. 12 then illustrates the tensioning of the tensioning elements inorder to achieve the convex structure.

The structure 1 according to the invention consists of a canvas 2, whichis tensioned by a supporting pole 3 bent into a loop. This canvas caneither be a cloth, a fabric, a sheet or just a tarpaulin, it must onlybe flexible and have tensile strength and preferably protect against UVradiation. The supporting pole 3 is a flexible pole, which is a tentpole common in tent construction made of hollow individual elements,which can be plugged into one another and, if necessary, are also heldtogether with an elastic rope. For that, various flexible materials canbe used, e.g. glass fiber or carbon fiber, aluminum or others. Theindividual elements are interconnected via connecting pieces 6 and fixedagainst one another. The loop has a vertex area 5, which lies in thearea of the bend of the supporting pole 3 into the loop. The simplestshape of the structure thus formed rests on the ground with its vertexarea 5 as well as the end areas 3′ or 3″, resp., of the supporting pole,wherein the free ends 3′, 3″ are braced with the vertex area 5 of theloop via one or several tensioning elements 11, whereby a convexlycurved structure is achieved. The supporting pole is guided in thecanvas 2 in lugs, loops, hooks, tubular receiving elements 2′ or thelike (FIG. 10), wherein the receiving elements 2′ have recesses 7 in thearea of the connecting pieces 6, so that the connecting pieces arefreely accessible for connection.

In the variant shown, the free ends 3′, 3″ of the supporting pole 3 areintersected and attached to one another in an intersection piece 4.However, the supporting pole 3 could also be bent into an open loop(also called “bay”), and the legs of the supporting pole 3 could run inparallel to one another, as indicated in FIGS. 3 to 5. It is alsopossible to bend the pole more strongly or less strongly thanillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5.

In the stated embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, in addition to the supportingpole 3, a further flexible pole 12 is provided, which runs intersectingthe two legs of the supporting pole 3. The ends of this further pole 12,too, are braced with one another such that the further pole 12 runsoverlapping in an arched shape. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.3 to 5, instead of a strap-shaped tensioning element 11, a continuousgroundsheet 13 made of flexible material is provided, which hasreceiving elements for receiving the vertex area 5 as well as the ends3′, 3″ of the supporting pole 3 and the ends of the additional pole 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in addition to the canvas 2, further canvassesor fabrics, resp., sheets or the like can be connected, as indicatedwith 14 and 15 in FIG. 5. In this manner, a closed tent is achieved,which not only protects against sun and wind, but also againstprecipitation and other weather conditions.

As shown in FIG. 2, a further canvas section 8 is attached to the canvas2, which serves as storage space and is accessible from inside below thecanvas 2. 9 designates ground hooks (tent pegs), using which thestructure 1 is fastened to the ground. For that, beside part 8, whichserves as storage space, one or several ropes 10 are also provided,which are preferably attached to the bent supporting pole 3 in the areaof the point of intersection.

As far as the tensioning elements 11 are concerned, these can be formedas individual straps or just as illustrated by Y-type connected straps,in which conventional turnbuckles or clamping buckles, resp., areinstalled for contracting and thus arching the structure.

However, instead of the tensioning elements, as stated, the groundsheet13 could preferably be provided with individual lashing straps for thefree ends of the poles. It can be reasonable to position straps withreceiving elements at the corners of the groundsheet, wherein each strapcan be tensioned, whereby each individual pole end can be shiftedindividually.

The individual canvasses 2, 14, 15 as well as, if applicable, the bottompart 13 can either be designed integrally with the canvas or connectedto the canvas 2 as needed via conventional connecting means likezippers, Velcro or the like.

Furthermore, it is provided, however not shown, that in closed tentvariants as in FIG. 5, an inner tent is fastened to the pole structure 3and 12 or to the canvas 2 using spacers, like loops, lugs, Velcro, hooksor the like.

Alternatively, the canvas 2 can be designed as an inner tent, which isconnected to the pole structure via spacers, like loops, lugs, hooks,tubular receiving elements or the like, over which a tent covering canbe positioned and fastened. Both types of the two-layered tentconstructions with a ventilation level are common in tent construction.

The inner tent is a fine grid mesh—i.e. actually a mosquito net, thepurpose of which is that the user does not get in contact with thecondensation. The outer tent provides any protection against weatherconditions.

-   -   1.) In the conventional case, the inner tent holds the poles in        shape; in that, however, it lies clearly within the pole        structure, and the outer tent is arranged above it and        tensioned. Therefore, the pitching sequence is to pitch the        inner tent with poles and to anchor it in the ground first and        to position the outer tent above it and to brace it in the        ground thereafter.    -   2.) In pop-up tents and several others, the inner tent is        already assembled in the outer tent using suspensions—and thus        both tents are pitched simultaneously.

It is important for both variants, that the inner tent is slightlyoffset towards the inside, and that the outer tent always rests againstthe poles. For that, there are various types of suspension means.

Pitching of the structure is now explained on the basis of FIGS. 6 to12. FIG. 6 shows the structure in its completely folded condition, i.e.,the individual parts of the supporting pole 3 are released from oneanother, and the canvas is then folded around the individual parts androlled up. In FIG. 6, arrow P indicates, how the structure is unrolled.Thereafter, as indicated with the arrow X in Fig.7, the canvas,including the individual supporting pole parts, is unfolded, andthereafter, the individual parts of the supporting pole 3 are pluggedtogether along the legs via the connecting pieces 6. Then, the structureshown in FIG. 8 is obtained, wherein in the vertex area 5, the parts ofthe supporting pole 3 must still be joined, as is shown in FIG. 9.Therewith, the canvas 2 is stretched due to the elasticity of thesupporting pole 3, whereby a planar structure is obtained, the ends 3 ofwhich are then interconnected in the intersection piece 4. The endpieces 3′, 3″ protruding beyond the intersection piece 4 as well as thevertex area 5 are then interconnected using the tensioning element 11,as shown in FIG. 11. Now the tensioning element 11 is tensionedaccording to the arrows in FIG. 12, whereby a convex structure isobtained, which then is to be erected on the vertex area 5 and the ends3′, 3″ of the supporting pole. This basic structure can, as alreadydescribed above, be connected into a tent with additional supportingpoles 12 or also additional canvasses 14 and 15, respectively. Insteadof the tensioning element 11, a closed tent can be obtained with auniform flexible groundsheet 13 as well as with the further canvas parts14 and 15.

As is apparent from the above description, pitching and striking of thestructure take place quickly and easily, without having to insert thepoles into the receiving elements again. The main structure does withoutloose individual parts, since all the essential elements can be packedup without complete disassembly, i.e., the respective portions of theflexible supporting pole 3 remain in the associated receiving elementsand the tensioning element 11 is preferably fixedly connected with thepole 3 in the vertex area 5 and the connecting element 4 is preferablypreassembled at one pole leg, whereby pitching of the structure isconsiderably facilitated.

Furthermore, pitching is easily possible even in windy conditions, sincethe individual parts are plugged together while the structure is stilllying flat on the ground, and the structure is only erected once it hasbeen respectively stabilized with the stretching, thus arching thestructure. Pitching a two-layered tent is easy, too, since either theinner tent is already fastened in the canvas 2, or since the outer tentis fastened above the tent structure following its erection as describedabove.

1. Tent structure or sun protection structure, wherein a canvas, acloth, a fabric, a foil or the like is tensioned using a flexiblesupporting pole, characterized in that the supporting pole is bent intoan open or closed loop or arch, the free ends of which are braced withthe vertex area of the loop—with the supporting pole including tensionedcanvas being bent into a convex structure, wherein the structure isplaced on the ground with the free ends of the supporting pole and thevertex area of the loop and is anchored there, if necessary.
 2. Tentstructure or sun protection structure according to claim 1,characterized in that the free ends of the supporting pole are crossedover and continue beyond the point of intersection, wherein thesupporting pole sections in the intersection area are preferably fixedto one another using a connecting element.
 3. Tent structure or sunprotection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that thesupporting pole is divided and the individual parts are rigidlyconnectable, e.g. using plug connections or lockable joints, wherein thecanvas is fitted, especially at the edge, with flaps, loops, hooks,tubular receiving elements or the like for the pole, and the receivingelements are preferably interrupted in the area of the pole connections.4. Tent structure or sun protection structure according to claim 1,characterized in that said individual pole parts and/or connectingelements are straight, curved or angled or forked or cross-shaped. 5.Tent structure or sun protection structure according to claim 1,characterized in that preferably at about half the distance between saidvertex area of said loop and said free ends of said supporting pole, oneor several further flexible pole(s) is/are provided spanning above orbelow said loop or intersecting it, which is/are connected with saidstructure, if applicable, via lugs, loops, hooks, tubular receivingelements or the like provided at said canvas and is/are likewise placedon the ground with its/their free ends, wherein said free ends of thisor these, resp., further pole(s) are braced with one another.
 6. Tentstructure or sun protection structure according to claim 1,characterized in that the tensioning element(s) bracing said vertex areaof said supporting pole with its ends, and, if applicable, thetensioning element(s) bracing said ends of said further pole or saidfurther poles, resp., with one another, is/are adjustable in length. 7.Tent structure or sun protection structure according to claim 1,characterized in that a particularly flexible bottom part, for example,made of fabric, foil or mat, or a floor plate, which is fitted withattachment devices for the free ends of the poles and/or the vertex areaof the loop, is provided for the tensioned fixing of the free ends ofthe supporting pole with its vertex area and, as the case may be, alsothe free ends of the other pole (or the other poles).
 8. Tent structureor sun protection structure according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe bottom part is designed in one piece with the tarpaulin.
 9. The tentstructure or sun protection structure according to claim 1,characterized in that, within said tent or sun protection structure,which preferably is designed waterproof and/or water-repellent and/orwindproof, an inner tent is attachable or attached maintaining anintermediate air layer.
 10. Tent structure or sun protection structureaccording to claim 1, characterized in that an upper cover, whichpreferably is designed waterproof and/or water-repellent and/orwindproof, can be fixed or is fixed above the tent structure or sunprotection structure.
 11. Tent structure or sun protection structureaccording to claim 1, characterized in that, e.g., in said vertex areaof said loop, a pocket-like space is attached to said canvas, which isin particular accessible from the inside, which can be additionallyanchored to the ground.